Do dietary patterns increase the risk of cardiovascular disease in type 1 diabetics?

This study examined whether dietary patterns had an influence on two of the risk factors for cardiovascular disease in type 1 diabetics in China.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the narrowing or blockage of blood vessels and can lead to heart failure or stroke. High cholesterol LDL levels ('bad' cholesterol) are a risk factor for cardiovascular disease as LDL collects on the walls of arteries. A high HbA1c also increases the risk of type 1 diabetes (T1D) patients developing cardiovascular disease. HbA1c is a measurement of average blood glucose levels over the past 3 months. Dietary patterns may have an impact on both cholesterol levels and HbA1c. 

This study aimed to determine whether dietary pattern in Chinese T1D patients was associated with HbA1c and cholesterol LDL levels. This study involved 99 patients divided into 2 groups based on diets. One group had a low intake of wheat and a high intake of cakes, beans and pickled vegetables. The other group had a high intake of rice and eggs and a low intake of cakes, nuts, fish, tea and coffee. Factors such as age, duration of diabetes, household income and physical activity were taken into account. Blood samples were taken from each patient to measure the HbA1c and cholesterol levels and participants recorded their food intake.

The group with the higher cake, beans and pickled vegetable intake had a higher HbA1c and LDL cholesterol level in comparison to the other group. The second dietary pattern of high rice and eggs and low cakes, nuts, fish, tea and coffee was not associated with HbA1c and LDL cholesterol levels.

This study concluded that a low intake of wheat and a high intake of cakes, beans and pickled vegetables in Chinese T1D patients increases the risk of cardiovascular disease.

The sample size of 99 patients was quite small. In addition, blood pressure and other fats present in the blood which could increase the risk of cardiovascular disease were not measured.

Consult your physician regarding the dietary changes which can be made to prevent or delay the development of cardiovascular disease.